November 19, 2021
The Football Federation of Iran has sent a draft bill to the Majlis that would allow women to enter stadiums and attend soccer games.
The fact that the federation now says it needs Majlis action to allow women into stadiums pulls the rug out from under a letter it sent more than two years ago to FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, promising to allow women into stadiums.
But the bill also looks ridiculous given that the federation on its own initiative allowed 4,000 women to attend one World Cup qualifying match two years ago in October 2019, in response to FIFA demands. Furthermore, just a few weeks ago it said it would allow women into Azadi Stadium to attend the World Cup qualifier against South Korea in October. In the end, however, it ruled no fans could watch the game in the stadium because of the coronavirus threat.
The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Hassan Kamranifar, announced October 28, “The Football Federation has presented a draft bill to the Majlis. If that is approved, then women will be allowed to enter stadiums soon.”
To many, it appeared the Football Federation was just trying to cover itself with FIFA. It is the very strong feelings of the clergy that has prevented women from attending games. The Majlis is not going to pass the bill. Then, the Football Federation can tell FIFA the absence of women is the fault of the Majlis.
Sixteen years ago this fall, newly-elected President Mahmud Ahmadi-nejad ordered stadiums to open their doors to women. There was an immediate furor initiated by the clergy. Within days, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenehi publicly overruled the president by issuing an order banning women from stadiums. That order is presumably still in effect.